GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

Detailed explanation-1: -While trying to discover a potion of immortality, Chinese alchemists of the Tang Dynasty accidentally discovered saltpeter, the main ingredient of gunpowder. Upon further experimentation, saltpeter was combined with charcoal and sulfur.

Detailed explanation-2: -China in 1000 CE Song military engineers found gunpowder to be helpful in siege warfare, leading to the development of early types of rockets, cannons, bombs, and mines.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Chinese first used gunpowder in warfare in 904, as incendiary projectiles called “flying fires.” Its use was soon expanded to explosive grenades hurled from catapults. The third step was to use gunpowder as a propellant. Its first such use was recorded in 1132 in experiments with mortars consisting of bamboo tubes.